Trace-fastener.



F. KLEEMAN.

TRAGE FASTENER.

APPLIGATION FILED 00114, 191s.

1,093,436. :Patented 11111.14, 1914.

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FREDERICK KLEEMAN, OF ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO, ASSIG'NOR OF ONE-HALF TO ELZA B. FOSTER, OF ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO.

TRACE-Famenne T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK KLEEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Artesia, in the county of Eddy and State of New Mexico, have invented new and useful Improvements in `Trace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

rIhis invention is an improved automatic fastener, for use for securing traces on swinglet-rees and also for use for other analogous purposes such for instance as securing vehicle curtains, check reins and the like and generally for holding anything in place that is ordinarily slipped over a hook, peg or the like, the object o-f the invention being to provide an improved fastener of this character which comprises a main member having a stop and an arm project-ing therefrom, a catch pivotally mounted on said arm and comprising a pair of angularly related arms and a spring also in the arm of the main member, supported at its ends and free to flex at its center and engaging the catch tol lock the latter in either position to which the catch may be turned, the invention consisting in the construction, combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a plan of an automatic fastener constructed in accordance with my invention, and showing the same in place on the lower side of a swingletree for securing a trace or tug to the swingletree against casual detachment. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a main member l which comprises a stop 2 and an arm 3 which projects from the inner side of the stop and at right angles thereto, the arm being provided with a longitudinal channel 4 which is open at the outer side of the arm, and the arm being further provided with an opening 5 in the bottom of the channel at a point intermediate the ends of the arm. Where the arm is united to the stop the latter is formed with a base 6 to bear on one side, preferably the under side, of a swingle-tree 7, or the like, the arm 3 being arranged in a rabbet 8 with which the swingletree or other device is pro- Speccation of Letters Patent.

Application led October 14, 1913.

vided. The base 6 has openings for the re- Patented Apr. 14, 1914:. Serial No. 795,134.

ception of screws l0 wherewith to secure the device to the swingle tree and the arm 3 is also provided with laterally extending lugs Il which have openings for the reception of securing screws or other securing devices l2.

A catch 13 is pivotally mounted in the channel l of the arm 8 and comprises a pair of 'arms let and l5 which are arranged at right angles or substantially so with respect to each other. The pivot of the catch is indicated at 16, being in practice a suitable pin or the like which extends through openings in the side walls of the channel l and an opening near the apex or in the angle between the arms of the catch. A spring 17 is also provided which is a flat spring that is adapted to bow or flex at its center. This spring is arranged in the channel t, its ends are supported as at 18 and its center is adapted to bow or flex. The spring bears against either arm of the catch that happens to be arranged in the channel of the arm 3 so that the said spring serves to hold the catch in either position in which the latter may be placed, as will be understood.

Normally the arm l5 is parallel with the stop 2 and the arm 14C of the catch is in the channel 4 and out of the way. When a trace or the like is slipped over the swingle tree and is moved toward the stop it passes lengthwise over the arm le until it reaches the arm 15 and as it is pressed farther against the arm 15 and toward the stop 2 it causes the catch to turn through about 90 on its pivot 16 thereby arranging the arm l5 in the channel and causing the arm 14 to project from the swingletree substantially parallel with the stop 2. I-Ience the swingletree becomes arranged between the arm 14C and the stop 2 and as the spring 17 holds the catch against casual movement the trace is prevented from becoming casually detached from the swingle tree.

In removing the trace, or article, the fastener is readjusted or returned to its normal position namely arm 14; is thrown into channel and arm l5 is made parallel with stop 2.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of my invention and having illustrated the same for use in connection with a swingletree for holding a trace I would have it understood that changes may portion and without departing from the spirit ot my invention and within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention7 I claim The herein described fastener comprising a main member having an outwardly projecting stop and also having an arm which projects from the inner side of the stop at right angles thereto= said arm having a longitudinal channel open on the side next the stop and being further provided with an opening in the bottom of the channel and at a point intermediate the ends of the arm, in combination with a catch comprising a pair ofarms arranged at right angles to each other and pivotally mounted at a point in against casual movement and yet permitting Y the said catch to be turned to arrange either of its arms in the channel and the other arm parallel with the stop.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

FREDERICK KLEEMAN.

Vitnesses GUS WnnIaMs, L. BOWERMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cen-ts each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I), C. 

